Here, it's your hot potato —VLCIA to Andrea Schruijer

VLCIA has its first regular meeting with its new executive director today, 5:30 PM, in the Industrial Authority Conference Room, 2110 N. Patterson Street. They've lobbed the biomass hot potato to her.

David Rodock wrote in the VDT 14 July 2011, Industrial Authority welcomes new director,

When it comes to the proposed biomass facility and maintaining a healthy relationship with the Georgia Department of Economic Development, which assisted the Industrial Authority in attracting the project, Schruijer believes staff and board members will be able to work through the situation.

"With economic development, it can be difficult to juggle a lot of different items," said Schruijer. "It's a balancing act to make sure you have all the parties involved and educated on the situation. The Department of Economic Development was there to help us recruit the project and they did just what they were supposed to do. In fact, they went above and beyond their duties by brushing over this project with a fine tooth comb. We worked with them and they worked with us. It seemed like a good project, and I think we'll be able to work through this, maintain a good relationship with them as long as we keep the avenues for communication open."

That sounds like Industrial-speak for they're going to "move on to" things that do work. However she chooses to phrase it, it's about time.

Regarding transparency:

Among these is streamlining the website to allow prospective industries and partners to easily navigate available resources and opportunities in the area.

She also hopes to improve the transparency of operations for citizens but insists that some limitations will have to be in place to protect the interests of potential investments.

"It's important for us to be transparent in the eyes of the community and for them to understand what we're doing to push economic development," said Schruijer. "It's twofold, however. People are looking at us all the time. If a company or a competitor is able to see meeting minutes online, then that could be a red flag in that the business confidentiality is at risk. We want to make sure the information is readily available, but we also want to be cognizant of our customers and their confidential materials."

Well, I give them credit for getting this story about her in the newspaper right away, and for putting it on their own website.

Not so much for still stonewalling on the minutes. I'm sure with a VLCIA attorney and an attorney on the board they can manage to approve minutes that don't give away the store.

The article is well worth reading, including things such as this:

Also, she noted that Moody Air Force Base, Valdosta State University and Wiregrass Georgia Technical College will play an important role in future growth in the area, but she further stressed the necessity of maintaining an educated and skilled workforce in the area. On her list of things to do is speak with Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce President Myrna Ballard and staff members about implementing new programs to attract knowledge-based jobs and retain a high-quality workforce pool.

Yes, please.

-jsq